The Supreme Court on Monday will hear the arguments in the Bilski’s business method patent case.

Technology industry is holding it’s breathe as it is going to be the first review of patentable subject matter since 1981 and decision of the court in the concerned case could make rules for years to come.

Speaking on the issue, analyst Emery Simon of Business Software Alliance said, “Technology companies care about this case because it will define what you can and cannot get a patent on.”

A ruling could obstruct patents on processes and methods of doing business, like online shopping techniques and procedures for executing trades on Wall Street. And the ruling could even make patents on software ineffective.

The dispute emerged in 1997, when inventors Bernard Bilski and Rand Warsaw tried to patent a hedging method of services that allowed users to make fixed energy payments even if usages and energy prices vary.

But, the US patent office declined their request for patent in 2000.

Now, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case on Monday and a decision is expected by the end of June.